Built in '73, sold '74... Imported by Beckmen Musical Instruments. Only three I've ever heard of, mine, one I can't get the owner to sell to me, and another in Australia that's kind of beat up.

Pike, we exchanged comments back in '08 regarding the W600. I bought mine in back in '76 if I remember correctly at a shop called the Guitar Post in Evanston, IL. It's a beauty and in mint shape. I would never sell it. Just had some work done on it with a Luthier I completely trust and it has never sounded better. Most folks have no idea about the W500 and W600.

I have a w-500 that I am interested in selling. I'm trying to get debt free to go on a missionary trip. It has a lot of sentimental value, my grandfather left it to me when he passed away but it wouldn't be a good idea to travel in central america with it. It's stamped from portland music company in portland, or. He was originally from chicago, il. I have pics but don't know how to add them on here.Thanks,Casey

FWIW, your guitar is a W500 which is solid wood, but spruce and mahogany. The W600 is spruce and rosewood, plus it's Brazillian rosewood. Both the 500 and 600 models are very, very nice but the W600 is a vastly more valuable guitar.

ship of fools

casedog that is one sweet guitar and it might have been hand made at the Yamaki factory ( though it is hard to say for sure, but some folks think that when Beckmen bought back the name that they started making them in the Yamaki factory ).One thing you might think of doing is maybe having it consigned in a better guitar store as it is somewhat unique and thus it would be hard to put a true value on it as most folks do not understand the history nor do they care really but it is a very nice guitar all solid woods and the pearl inlay looks wonderful. If I were selling it I would have no problem asking at the low end $750.00 to a high end of $1200.00 there are not a lot of them around but you need to find the right owner for it. And please do let us know what you want for it, I know I keep saying no more especially after downsizing my collection ( from 23 down to 5 left ugggh ) but you never know, it might look really nice beside my W-300-12.ship